Untitled (Shaman Traveller to Other Worlds for Blessings)

A concise rendering of essential aspects of Norval Morrisseau’s oeuvre, this painting shows a shaman figure in transformation as the mythical thunderbird in flight. The work is evocative of unity, an important component of Morrisseau’s thinking; he shows us that all things in creation are related and necessary to each other. A shaman, in astral flight, enters a large circle. On the exterior of the circle, Morrisseau uses birds and fish to represent creatures from the sky and water, providing a balance between the upper worlds and underworlds. This idea of metaphysical balance is often present in Morrisseau’s work as he seeks to communicate the dualities inherent in all of creation.